Pacific Coast Highway Book

Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, commissioned in 1926, follows the path taken by the first Spanish explorers of the West Coast and incorporates El Camino Real, the historic thoroughfare built to link California's 21 missions. In some areas, reconstruction and freeway development have diverted the modern 101 from its old alignment; but this book traces the original road, providing detailed directions and mileage for drivers. A prologue, outlining the Pacific Coast Highway's pre-twentieth-century history, is followed by chapters giving a comprehensive guide to each section of the road (traveling north-south). Chapters examine 101's natural surroundings, its towns, cities and principal buildings, and the people (past and present) that have made it what it is. Every chapter includes features focusing on places of special interest and a Voice of the Road spreads profiling the highway's key personalities, as well as numerous quotations from authors, poets and songwriters who have been inspired by it. Specially created maps will parallel the text, and the book concludes with an extensive resources section, giving contact addresses and website details for road-related organizations and en route attractions.Read More